India's Proximity Archives
Date: April 05, 2023
South Asia
by Shreyas Deshmukh
The ongoing economic and political chaos in Pakistan turning into a hu-manitarian situation, where food security of the country is at stake. 12 people lost their lives in a Karachi stampede at a Ramazan food and cash distribution center on March 31. The consumer inflation rate has touched 35.4 per cent in March. Even after China and some other countries rolled-over loans to help Pakistan maintain adequate foreign currency reserves, imports have been gravely impacted. Cell phone manufacturing and the automobile sector have come to a halt due unavailability of raw materials.
The security situation remains serious as four policemen Including DSP were killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on March 30, while four soldiers were killed in an attack launched by militants from the Iranian side of the border of Balo-chistan on April 1.
During his three days visit to India from April 3-5, Bhutan King Jigme Wangchuk held discussion with Prime Minister Modi and other Indian offi-cials. The issues related to bilateral cooperation and mutual security concerns were discussed in various meetings. India also agreed to provide support to Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan.
The Asian Development Outlook April 2023, forecasts Sri Lanka’s economy to contract further in 2023 before it begins a gradual recovery in 2024. Mean-while, India and Japan jointly expedited efforts to bring economic stability to South Asia. Maldives and Japan held the 4th Round of the Japan-Maldives Policy Dialogue on April 4 in which they discussed issues related to Economic Cooperation. On March 30, Bangladesh Finance Ministry announced that Ja-pan will provide USD 1.27 billion for three infrastructure projects, including the construction of the new commercial port in the Matabari area.
Other Developments
Three British men are being held in Taliban custody.
The President of Sri Lanka seeks India’s help for policy reforms, gov-ernance, capacity building, digitalization, and public service delivery.
The 10th edition of India-Sri Lanka bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-23 is scheduled at Colombo from 03 - 08 April 2023.
India, and Japan announce joint interest in co-operation with Sri Lanka for free, open Indo-Pacific.
Southeast Asia
by Anshita Shukla
The 23rd ASEAN- India Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting to further strengthen the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was convened in Jakarta on March 29. The two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation in areas such as trade and investment; maritime cooperation; transnational crimes; cybersecurity; and increased people-to-people ties. The meeting was co-chaired by the Ambassador of India to ASEAN, Jayant N Khobragade, and the Permanent Representative of Singapore to ASEAN, Kok Li Peng.
On March 31, the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from nine ASEAN countries and representatives from six international organisations (Asian Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, etc.) attended the ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting (AFMGM) in Bali. One of the key areas highlighted during the meeting was the need to support economic recovery, spur growth and increase financial stability in the region post the Covid-19 pandemic. The delegates discussed ways of reducing dependency on foreign currencies to “reinforce financial resilience, among others, through the use of local currency to support cross-border trade and investment in the ASEAN region”, as mentioned in the joint statement.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia during his official visit to Beijing from March 29- April 1 signed 19 agreements to boost investments in green technology, digital economy and modern agriculture. During the meeting, the Malaysian Prime Minister stated his agreement to initiate negotiations with Beijing over the South China Sea Dispute. The Prime Minister remarked “China is also staking claim over the area. I said as a small country that needs oil and gas resources, we have to continue, but if the condition is that there must be negotiations, then we are ready to negotiate”. This comes after heightened tensions between the two countries over the past couple of years as Malaysia alleged “encroachment” into its waters by Beijing’s vessels.
The Philippines on March 3 announced the location of the four additional military bases to be used by US troops under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Out of the four sites, one is a naval base in Cagayan province’s Santa Ana is about 400km from Taiwan. The second one is in Balabac Island, off the southern tip of Palawan Island, near the South China Sea. And the other two sites are an airport in Cagayan province and an army camp in the neighbouring province of Isabela. Beijing has already registered displeasure against the expansions of the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in February 2023.
Other Developments
Myanmar military's attempt to co-opt Suu Kyi-led party fails
Myanmar resistance urges Taiwan, Japan to reject 'sham polls'
Cambodia reveals air defense plans near China-funded naval base
U.K. accepted as 12th member of CPTPP trade bloc
Indonesia, Russia sign extradition treaty to combat crime
On March 31, the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from nine ASEAN countries and representatives from six international organisations (Asian Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, etc.) attended the ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting (AFMGM) in Bali. One of the key areas highlighted during the meeting was the need to support economic recovery, spur growth and increase financial stability in the region post the Covid-19 pandemic. The delegates discussed ways of reducing dependency on foreign currencies to “reinforce financial resilience, among others, through the use of local currency to support cross-border trade and investment in the ASEAN region”, as mentioned in the joint statement.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia during his official visit to Beijing from March 29- April 1 signed 19 agreements to boost investments in green technology, digital economy and modern agriculture. During the meeting, the Malaysian Prime Minister stated his agreement to initiate negotiations with Beijing over the South China Sea Dispute. The Prime Minister remarked “China is also staking claim over the area. I said as a small country that needs oil and gas resources, we have to continue, but if the condition is that there must be negotiations, then we are ready to negotiate”. This comes after heightened tensions between the two countries over the past couple of years as Malaysia alleged “encroachment” into its waters by Beijing’s vessels.
The Philippines on March 3 announced the location of the four additional military bases to be used by US troops under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Out of the four sites, one is a naval base in Cagayan province’s Santa Ana is about 400km from Taiwan. The second one is in Balabac Island, off the southern tip of Palawan Island, near the South China Sea. And the other two sites are an airport in Cagayan province and an army camp in the neighbouring province of Isabela. Beijing has already registered displeasure against the expansions of the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in February 2023.
Other Developments
Myanmar military's attempt to co-opt Suu Kyi-led party fails
Myanmar resistance urges Taiwan, Japan to reject 'sham polls'
Cambodia reveals air defense plans near China-funded naval base
U.K. accepted as 12th member of CPTPP trade bloc
Indonesia, Russia sign extradition treaty to combat crime
West Asia
by Sanket Joshi
India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met a Israeli Knesset (Parliament) delegation led by Speaker Amir Ohana in New Delhi on April 3. The two leaders discussed strengthening India-Israel relations, including cooperation in the ‘I2U2’ framework in areas such as connectivity, renewables, food security, start-ups, tourism, and culture. Israel’s former Ambassador to India, Dr. Ron Malka, has been appointed the Chairman of Haifa Port, which is owned by a consortium of India’s ‘Adani Ports’ and Israel’s ‘Gadot Group’.
Oil prices have surged over USD 80 per barrel as OPEC has decided to cut crude production by another 1.16 million barrels per day beginning May 2023. Expressing concerns over the OPEC decision, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that it is an “unconstructive act” that will add uncertainty to the global growth outlook. Meanwhile, boosting Yuan internalisation, China conducted its first Yuan-settled liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade through the Shanghai Petroleum and Natural Gas Exchange, importing about 65,000 tonnes of LNG from UAE.
US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, speaking before the House Armed Services Committee reiterated Washington’s concerns over the deepening of partnership between China, Russia, and Iran. Adding, “Even though the three countries do not constitute a true full alliance, they are moving closer together and it is going to be problematic for many years to come”.
Amidst this, Saudi Arabia has agreed to join the ‘Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’ (SCO) as a “dialogue partner”. Continuing China-mediated rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has reportedly accepted Saudi King Salman’s invitation to visit the Kingdom.
Oil prices have surged over USD 80 per barrel as OPEC has decided to cut crude production by another 1.16 million barrels per day beginning May 2023. Expressing concerns over the OPEC decision, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that it is an “unconstructive act” that will add uncertainty to the global growth outlook. Meanwhile, boosting Yuan internalisation, China conducted its first Yuan-settled liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade through the Shanghai Petroleum and Natural Gas Exchange, importing about 65,000 tonnes of LNG from UAE.
US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, speaking before the House Armed Services Committee reiterated Washington’s concerns over the deepening of partnership between China, Russia, and Iran. Adding, “Even though the three countries do not constitute a true full alliance, they are moving closer together and it is going to be problematic for many years to come”.
Amidst this, Saudi Arabia has agreed to join the ‘Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’ (SCO) as a “dialogue partner”. Continuing China-mediated rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has reportedly accepted Saudi King Salman’s invitation to visit the Kingdom.
Other Developments
India slams OIC for its 'anti-India' agenda
US reportedly discusses possible interim Iran nuclear deal with Israel, other allies
UAE President receives phone call from Israel's Prime Minister
Egypt, Syria in advanced talks to restore diplomatic relations
Jordan’s King Abdullah: Muslims have duty to protect Islamic, Christian holy sites from Israeli persecution
China
by Angana Guha Roy
In a highly symbolic meeting US House Speaker Kevin Mc Carthy met Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen prompting outrage from China. Reacting to President Tsai Ing-wen’s stopover visit Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said "China is strongly opposed to the US arranging for Tsai Ing-wen to transit through its territory, and is strongly opposed to the meeting between House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the third-ranking US official, and Tsai Ing-wen.It seriously violates the One-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, and seriously undermines China's sovereignty and territorial integrity" .
China has urged the World Trade Organization to scrutinise US led technology export restrictions aimed at curbing its ability to make advanced chips. The move comes after Japan and Netherlands has decided to limit chip exports in lines with curbs by Washington. China has accused the U.S. of being a "tech hegemony”.
In its latest attempt to lay claim to areas inside Indian territory, China’s Civil Affairs Ministry released the standardised names of 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh, which it calls “Zangnan, the southern part of Tibet.” This was the third time China has unilaterally renamed places in Arunachal Pradesh – six were renamed in April 2017 and 15 more in December 2021. Responding to the provocation, External Affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchisaid: “We have seen such reports. This is not the first time China has made such an attempt. We reject this outright.”
Officials from Nepal and China agreed to resume two-way trade via a key land border point from April 1.The decision was made during the first meeting of the Nepal-China Coordination Mechanism on Border Trade and Cooperation, on March. 31. The discussion focused on resuming the cross border trade and people-to-people movement at optimum level and exploring new avenues of cooperation in border trade and cooperation.
Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister General Li Shangfu held talks with Bangladesh Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal in Beijing on April 1.General Li noted that China is ready to work with Bangladesh to further expand new areas of exchanges and foster new highlights of cooperation.Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal said that Bangladesh firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is firmly committed to consolidating and developing Bangladesh-China relations.
Other developments
All eyes on border talks between Bhutan, China as King begins India visit
Two Indian journalists barred from returning to China amid tensions
Central Asia
by Jayantika Rao T.V.
The agenda for the 18th Meeting of the Security Council Secretaries of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)member states on March 29 included stability and security in the region, countering terrorist financing, use of new technologies for terrorist purposes and transnational organised crimes. Indian NSA Ajit Doval urged member countries to “respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity” and seek “no unilateral military superiority in neighbouring countries”.
On April 3, the first India-Central Asia Culture Ministers’ Meeting was hosted by the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern region, G. Krishan Reddy, virtually. Minister G. Krishan Reddy called for “acknowledging the mutual historical, traditional and ancient links between India and the Central Asian countries”. At the end of the meeting, India proposed a Joint Statement to which the participants agreed to convey their consent at the earliest to acknowledge the forum and its continuance at regular intervals.
On the same day, the 20th Session of Culture Ministers of the SCO Member States was held, wherein member states attended the meeting virtually. The Culture Ministers of the SCO member states expressed their views on enhancing cooperation in the field of culture within the SCO Framework in the purview of the Agreement between the governments of the SCO member states on cooperation. Minister of Culture of Kyrgyzstan, Altynbek Maksutov, expressed in his speech that cultural cooperation creates a fundamental basis for further development and strengthening mutual understanding. The member states signed the Protocol and noted the role of joint activities in the sphere of culture and art as a platform for expanding intercultural exchanges and deepening mutual understanding.
On April 4, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Vepa Hajiyev met with the Deputy Director of the Policy Analysis and Public Relations Division of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Fedor Klimchuk and Deputy Head of the Section for Co-financing and Partnership Igor Kondratyev. During the meeting, the parties discussed implementing national, regional and global UNODC programs to combat drug trafficking. Both sides noted the successful joint holding of the 55th Session of the Sub-commission on Illicit Drug Trafficking and Related Matters in the Near and Middle East in Ashgabat. The parties also discussed the results of the 66th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs held in Vienna on March 13-17, 2023.
Other Developments
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhadedov receives acting Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan
Kyrgyzstan to buy electricity from Russia
Kazakhstan to Cut Oil Production Following Latest OPEC Agreement
Israeli Foreign Minister plans to visit Turkmenistan for inauguration of the Embassy
